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   Number 1: Seerah: EP3 – Pre-Islamic Society Pt 1

   Episode 3: Pre-Islamic Society Pt 1 Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). To understand the Seerah, it important to appreciate the circumstances at that time in Arabia: this gives perspective as to why the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was sent to this region. The origins of the word ‘Arab’, as well as the geographic, political and economic background of Pre-Islamic Arabia are explored. Essentially, the area was a tribal-dominated system, with deep traditions of culture and language. In some respects, it was insulated from the outside world by the natural barriers of immense bodies of surrounding water and expanses of arid desert areas. Conversely, being bordered by the Persian and Roman empires and sea routes made it a natural epicenter for trade. Culturally, there were positives and negatives to life in Arabia. Privileges were enjoyed according to social standing: high-society controlled the political situation, and was immune from justice and accountability. Those unfortunate enough to belong to lower social classes were treated unjustly, and in some cases worse than animals. Family life was revered in some cases, with the institution of marriage respected. In contrast, immoralities like infidelity and promiscuity were also rampant. Positive characteristics of the Arab people themselves included their renowned hospitality, being true to their word, having a great respect for genealogy, and giving great weight to knowledge being passed on via oral traditions. The lack of unifying governance, economy and religion made pre-Islamic Arabia a prime area to receive divine guidance as a fresh start.

   May 07, 2021·1h 2min
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   Number 2: Seerah: EP2 – Intro Pt 2

   Episode 2: Introduction Pt 2 Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Further discussion is pursued about the benefits of studying the Seerah: it aids our understanding of the Quran, as the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) makes the Quran come to life. His (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) perfect example gives us the ultimate role model to emulate in our interactions with all demographics of society: children, youth, women, non-Muslims, students and family members to name a few. Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) juggled all this, on top of the epic responsibility of being the Messenger of God. No human being’s life has been documented like his. Reports are so detailed as to describe physical features, like the light tan colour of his skin, his broad, welcoming face and his dark, almost black eyes, to his perfect conduct and character e.g. he was always concerned about the condition of the people, he did not talk unnecessarily, but was always the first to give salaam, and when conversing, he would turn his body fully to face people. This section also covers resources to supplement the study of the Seerah, including Ibn Ishaq’s ‘Sirat Rasul Allah’ (The Life of Muhammad), Ibn Kathir’s ‘Al Bidayah Wa Al Nihayah’ (The Beginning and the End), Martin Lings’ ‘Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources’, ‘Fiqh Us-Seerah’ by Muhammad Al-Ghazali, and ‘The Sealed Nectar’ by Safiur Rahman Mubarukpuri.

   May 07, 2021·57min
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   Number 3: Seerah: EP1 – Intro Pt 1

   Episode 1: Introduction Pt 1 Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). So what is ‘Seerah’? The word linguistically means ‘a path’, ‘to walk in a particular direction’. More figuratively, it refers to someone’s life biography. Specifically, Seerah refers to the Prophetic biography. It includes everything from the occurrences in the life the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), from his daily practices, attributes, physical characteristics, mannerisms, expeditions, to family life. Why study Seerah? It goes hand-in-hand with the study of the Quran. The Quran itself states that there is not a better example than the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) himself: There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often. (Quran 33:21) This series hopes to be different from dry, factual studies, or ‘superhero-tales’, which we may feel we cannot ever aspire to: it aims to humanise the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and provide eternal practical lessons for every-day life, as well as engender love for the best of humankind. How can you possibly love someone you do not know?

   May 07, 2021·58min
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   Number 4: Seerah: EP45 – Umar bin Al-Khattab Accepts Islam

   Episode 45: Umar bin Al-Khattab Accepts Islam Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). This episode recounts the acceptance of Islam by Umar bin al-Khattab (RA). Umar (RA) went to the Ka’ba and heard some people talking about the issues they were having with the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He decided to deal with the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) himself and thus went searching for him. He held his sword in his hand, demonstrating his intent to take action. On the way, he ran into Nuaym bin Abdullah, a Sahaba, who asked Umar (RA) what his intentions were. Umar (RA) expressed his desire to kill the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Nuaym did not want to cause problems, but he also wanted to protect the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He tried to phase Umar (RA) by asking him if Banu Abd Manaf would let Umar (RA) walk freely if he killed the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Unphased by this, Nuaym had to try a different strategy: he then suggested that Umar (RA) dealt with his own family first, disclosing that his brother-in-law, Saeed bin Zayd, and sister, Fatimah, had accepted Islam. Umar (RA) proceeded immediately to his sister’s house. On reaching the door, he heard three voices reciting the Quran. The third person present was Khabbab ibn al-Aratt. On hearing it was Umar (RA) at the door, Khabbab immediately hides. The Quran pages are still out, while Umar (RA) pounces on his brother-in-law, asking who the third person was and questioning his acceptance of Islam. Fatima tries to grab him, but he strikes her and she starts bleeding. She finally admits they accepted Islam and tells Umar (RA) to go ahead and kill them both for this. Seeing his sister bleeding, Umar (RA) calms down. He asks about the Quran, but Fatima snatches away the pages, saying he cannot touch them. Umar (RA) reassures her he does not want to destroy them, but to read them. Fatima says he is not pure and makes him clean up, before handing Umar (RA) the pages: he starts reading surah 20, Ta-Ha. Putting down the pages, Umar (RA) asks to be taken to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) immediately to accept Islam. Khabbab comes out of hiding and congratulates Umar (RA), reporting that only the night before, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) made dua to Allah to aid Islam through Abu Jahl or Umar bin al-Khattab. They reach Dar al-Arqam and Umar (RA) knocks. A few Sahaba were present: they looked and saw Umar (RA) with his sword at his side. Hamza (RA) says to let him in, saying that if he comes with good, they would do whatever needed to take care of him, but if he comes seeking something bad, then he would kill him with his own sword. Umar (RA) enters and expresses his wish to accept Islam. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) exclaimed the Takbeer and the rest of Sahaba cry out the Takbeer too. Umar (RA) goes to his uncle Abu Jahl’s house to inform him of his Islam. Abu Jahl is disgusted and calls him a fool. Umar (RA) went to the Haram and a group attacked him on account of his Islam. Some reports say he fought for an hour. Then an old man stood up and dispersed the crowd, asking why they were concerned about his path and warning of retaliation from his family.

   November 22, 2021·57min
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   Number 5: Seerah: EP44 – Hamza (ra) Accepts Islam and The Aftermath of The Migration to Abyssinia

   Episode 44: Hamza (ra) Accepts Islam and The Aftermath of The Migration to Abyssinia Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). After the Encounter with the Negus When Amr bin al-Aas came back to Makkah, he locked himself in his house and would not mix with anyone. This was unusual, as he was a leader and a businessman. He was deeply affected by the Negus accepting Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) as a Messenger. Later, some people came to Madina from Abyssinia. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) went and got food and supplies for them. The Sahaba said they would take care of it. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, ‘These people honoured my companions when we were few and oppressed. Today, it is my honour that I get to serve them.’ The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had this lasting gratitude towards the people of Abyssinia. Whenever the Negus was challenged about his faith, he had a piece of paper on which he wrote his testimony of being a Muslim: he kept this hidden in pockets made in shirts over his heart. He would place his hand on his heart and say, ‘This is exactly what I believe’. The Quran confirms that if someone fears for their life, they can say what they need to say, but keep firm on their iman in their heart. Acceptance of Islam by Hamza (RA) Hamza (RA) was the uncle of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and also a milk brother (Thuwaybah, a slave of Abu Lahab breast fed them both). Close in age, they were friendly and close, growing up as brothers. The majority of scholars say Hamza (RA) accepted Islam after the migration to Abyssinia. Before Islam, he was a much respected individual. Hamza (RA) was the centre of attention, renowned for his fighting abilities as a warrior, ambidextrous swordsman and hunter. Whilst Hamza (RA) was away one day on a hunting trip, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) went to the Ka’ba and crossed paths with Abu Jahl. Abu Jahl started to berate and insult him. Witnessed by a slave woman, after Hamza (RA) returned from the hunt, she informed him that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was treated abysmally by Abu Jahl. In a rage, Hamza (RA) goes to Abu Jahl and hits him over the head with his bow, making him bleed. Hamza (RA) commented that if Abu Jahl disrespected Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), he would have to deal with himself. Abu Jahl remarked that it seemed like he had left their religion: Hamza (RA) affirms his belief in the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). A huge fight is about to ensue, but Abu Jahl tells everyone to back down, confirming that he did curse the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) badly. Hamza (RA) leaves the scene and is emotional about what just happened: did he really believe or was this a hasty reaction? He makes dua: ‘Oh Allah, if this is true then put the truth into my heart and make me firm and if it is not, then Allah give me a way out’. His night passed in tension and finally he goes to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) for support and advice. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) inspires and warns him and eventually Hamza (RA) accepts the iman in his heart. Hamza’s (RA) conversion was a huge source of comfort and confidence for the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Three days after this, Umar (RA) accepted Islam.

   November 22, 2021·59min
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